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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Southern Nevada Health District board accepted the resignation of the district's chief health officer, Dr. Lawrence Sands.

Also at the board meeting Thursday night, members appointed Dr. John Middaugh, as Sands' temporary replacement. Middaugh is the current director of the district's division of community health.

Sands tells Action News it's his choice to leave. But it's no secret that some county leaders weren't happy with some of his decisions. Many didn't approve of his sudden shut-down of the agency's main headquarters last April.

That shut-down came after an independent engineer said the building wasn't structurally sound. Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak believes the whole  thing was a ploy to get a new building.

But Sands defends his actions. "When you're faced with an engineering report from a reputable firm, that clearly states the building is unsafe to occupy, I don't know how anyone else in my position could elect to do otherwise. It's always difficult to take criticism, but my record speaks for itself.  I hope to say it's all water under the bridge."

Board members tell me they'll do a national search, and hope to have a permanent replacement for Sands within a year.
   
Sands says he plans to stay in the area, and is looking forward to exploring new opportunities.